After a meeting with President Joseph Nyumah Boakai on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Executive Mansion, citizens of Grand Cape Mount County are demanding the re-negotiation of the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) of Bea Mountain Mining Company (BMMC).
The representatives of Cape Mount County also raised issues of bad labor practices, noncompliance, and the killing of some of its people. Though no cameras and phones were allowed due to tight protocol, Verity News uncovered a document detailing key talking points and deliberations.
BMMC was accused of depriving local communities of the benefits that should come from the region’s mining activities. These concerns were presented to President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and some kitchen cabinet members.
Verity’s investigation learned that the delegation, led by its spokesperson, Thompson Mahatma Kiatamba, expressed dissatisfaction with the recent 25-year extension of the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) between the Liberian government and BMMC.
Inside sources told Verity News that the group criticized the renewed agreement, claiming it fails to address persistent issues that negatively affect the local population, particularly in the areas of transparency, labor, community development, and environmental protection.
During the weekend meeting with President Boakai, the concerned citizens outlined several critical violations and ongoing issues relating to BMMC’s operations.
Lack of Transparency and Accountability
The group highlighted BMMC’s failure to comply with reporting requirements stipulated in the MDA.
According to the concerned citizens, the company has not provided regular reports on tax revenue, production, or payments to the government, raising serious questions about its financial transparency.
Additionally, they criticized the weak monitoring and enforcement provisions in the new MDA extension, which they argue makes it even harder to hold BMMC accountable for its actions.
Insufficient Community Development Contributions
The citizens emphasized that BMMC’s contributions to community development were minimal and did not meet legal requirements.
They pointed out that funds for local development are primarily directed to the communities directly affected by mining, leaving the broader Grand Cape Mount County without much-needed infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
The group called for these contributions to be expanded to benefit the county.
Labor and Employment Issues
Verity News learned that employment practices at BMMC also came under scrutiny, with the citizens accusing the company of favoring foreign workers over Liberians.
Despite the MDA’s provisions to prioritize Liberian workers, the group claimed that BMMC continues to rely heavily on foreign labor, particularly for skilled positions, while failing to provide adequate training programs for local workers.
The group also claimed that since the signing of the MDA, there have been no substantial training initiatives for Liberians, which directly contradicts the agreement’s stipulations.
Human Rights Violations and Environmental Impact
The citizens brought attention to several human rights abuses, including the alleged deaths of three young Liberians during a peaceful protest earlier in this year.
They demanded a thorough investigation into the killings, which they allege were carried out by state security personnel during a demonstration against BMMC’s practices.
In addition to human rights concerns, environmental violations were cited, and accusations were made that BMMC has neglected its obligations to protect the environment.
Further, the group expressed concerns about inadequate housing and healthcare for BMMC workers and the lack of basic services like clean drinking water, electricity, and roads in the affected areas.
Demand for Government Action
According to our sources, the concerned citizens presented President Boakai with a list of demands urging the government to take immediate action to address these ongoing issues.
These demands include Renegotiation of the MDA: The group called for the 25-year MDA to be renegotiated to increase transparency, strengthen monitoring mechanisms, and significantly boost contributions to community development, ensuring that all of Grand Cape Mount County benefits, not just mining-affected areas.
Employment Prioritization: They demanded that BMMC prioritize Liberian workers for skilled positions, focusing clearly on training and career advancement for locals.
Appointments of Liberian Officials: The group also called for the appointment of Liberian leaders, including Hon. Sando Wayne as Country General Manager and Mr. Henry Vincent as Government and Community Relations Manager at BMMC.
They argued that these appointments would help protect Liberia’s equity interests and ensure fair representation for all ethnic groups in the concession’s management.
Strengthened Monitoring and Enforcement: The citizens emphasized the need for robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to hold BMMC accountable for its environmental and social obligations, including relocation plans for downstream communities near the Kinjor area, which has been heavily impacted by mining.
Human Rights and Accountability: The group demanded accountability for the deaths of the protesters earlier this year and called for the implementation of the House Committee’s recommendations, which include fines, dismissals, and the renegotiation of the MDA.
Call for Fairness and Sustainable Development
In closing, the citizens underscored that Liberia’s mineral wealth should serve the collective benefit of its people rather than becoming a tool for exploitation.
They stressed that BMMC must operate in a way that fosters sustainable development, creates jobs, and improves the quality of life for the people of Grand Cape Mount and all of Liberia.
“The people of Cape Mount County deserve a fair and equitable share of the benefits from their natural resources,” the concerned citizens of Grand Cape Mount spokesperson Kiatamba emphasized.
He said, “BMMC’s disregard for local communities and exploitation of our people must end. It’s time for the government to act decisively and ensure that Liberia’s resources truly benefit the Liberian people.”
As tensions continue to rise over BMMC’s operations, the government and the company now face increased pressure to address the demands of local citizens and ensure that Liberia’s rich natural resources are used to improve the lives of all Liberians.
The calls for action represent a critical moment in the ongoing dialogue between the government, mining corporations, and local communities as the country grapples with how best to harness its natural resources for the benefit of its people.
Verity News cannot independently verify these concerns raised by the concerned citizens of Grand Cape Mount County.
